Friday, November 11
Missoula, Mont.
7 PM
Montana
16-10,9-5Big Sky
3
vs
1
Montana State
11-15,7-7Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana St. | 15 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 1 |
| Montana | 25 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 3 |
Photo by: Tommy Martino/UM Athletics
Griz beat Cats again, maintain Main Line Trophy
11/11/2022 10:38:00 PM | Volleyball
MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana volleyball team rode the momentum of a record-setting crowd on Friday night to a dominant win over Montana State in the Brawl of the Wild series (25-15, 27-25, 22-25, 25-15). The Grizzlies have now won three straight in the rivalry series for the first time since 2013-14, and swept the season series over the Cats for the first time in nine years.
"Tonight was an incredible performance and the thing I'm most proud of is our mindset in the rivalry," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "This match, and the rivalry, can bring out a lot of distractions, but over the past two years, our mindset in it has been so solid.
"It's a deliberate choice by our team, and good leadership by our upperclassmen, and I believe that's why we won."
Montana played as the aggressors in the first set, trailing for just two total points (at 1-0 and 3-2) and hitting .370 in the 25-15 win. A tight set that always tilted toward the Grizzlies was blown open late as Montana used an 8-0 scoring run behind the serving of Paige Clark to turn a 16-13 advantage into a 24-13 blowout. During the run, the Grizzlies got three kills from right-side attacker Catie Semadeni, in addition to a Clark ace, Jackie Howell kill and several MSU attack errors.
The Grizzlies out-hit MSU .370 to .108 in the opening set, but the defense maintained throughout the match, as the Bobcats hit just .109 on the night (38-22-147), compared to .209 for the Grizzlies (55-24-148).
Gallery: (11-11-2022) VB: Montana vs Montana State
The second set featured 14 tie scores and 10 lead changes, but Montana never fell behind by more than two points, rallying from a 23-21 deficit with three straight points – kills by Ellie Scherffius and Semadeni and an ace from Carly Anderson – to earn a set-point opportunity. The Bobcats twice fought off Montana set points, before the Grizzlies finished off the set with a Howell kill and a Semadeni/Elise Jolly block to turn the crowd of more than 2,100 fans into a frenzy. Montana's previous attendance record held for 31 years.
Despite falling late in the third set, that's when the most impressive part of the night came, one could argue.
Montana was aced just five times on the night, but four of MSU's aces came during a four-point span to close Set 3 and open Set 4.
As momentum was teetering, however, Montana sprung back with three of the next four points to tie Set 4 at 3-3. Moments later, Montana took the lead, and then Sarina Moreno – one of the Grizzly seniors who were honored prior to the match – took over.
The libero will likely set Montana's school record for career digs next week, but it was her serving that fans will remember about Friday. She served during a 9-0 scoring run to blow the set wide open, giving Montana a 16-6 advantage that would never get close again.
"You could just feel it in how she warmed up," Lawrence said of Moreno. "Her confidence, and the confidence she gives our team, is what you expect from a fifth-year senior. She's not intimidated by anyone or anything. She was a big playmaker and went for it."
In addition to a Moreno ace, Montana got kills from three different players and three blocks – all featuring Jolly, a senior, and Howell.
With the set firmly in hand, Lawrence was able to put in the third Grizzly senior, Alicia Wallingford. The middle blocker entered the match with two kills over her four-year career, but her third career kill will be one that she will remember for the rest of her life, as it set off a wild celebration and a 25-15 victory.
"Alicia is someone who is relentless in her work ethic and is such a good teammate, and when she has had her opportunities, you can just see everyone around her wanting to see her have success," Lawrence said. "They want to pass for her and cover for her, and to see her finish it out, you can't script a better ending."
Montana, as a team, recorded 17 more kills than MSU (55 to 38) despite taking just one more swing. The Grizzlies also out-dug the Bobcats (69 to 57), with Moreno totaling 17, Howell adding 15, and freshman Lexi Batezel posting 13 for the second-most of her career.
The focus, at least for the weekend, will be celebrating a third consecutive victory over its rival, but for the big picture, the win also guarantees Montana a top-five seed at the Big Sky tournament later this month. At 16-10 overall, Montana is on pace to record its best record in 23 years and improved to 9-5 in league play with the win.
Montana will close the regular season next week at Idaho State (Thursday) and Weber State (Saturday, Nov. 19).
"Tonight was an incredible performance and the thing I'm most proud of is our mindset in the rivalry," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "This match, and the rivalry, can bring out a lot of distractions, but over the past two years, our mindset in it has been so solid.
"It's a deliberate choice by our team, and good leadership by our upperclassmen, and I believe that's why we won."
Montana played as the aggressors in the first set, trailing for just two total points (at 1-0 and 3-2) and hitting .370 in the 25-15 win. A tight set that always tilted toward the Grizzlies was blown open late as Montana used an 8-0 scoring run behind the serving of Paige Clark to turn a 16-13 advantage into a 24-13 blowout. During the run, the Grizzlies got three kills from right-side attacker Catie Semadeni, in addition to a Clark ace, Jackie Howell kill and several MSU attack errors.
"We served so well in the first set, getting them out of system early," Lawrence said. "We served really well, but we passed really well, too, and with our ball control, we were able to be physical and fast, and really limit a lot of their weapons because of their first contact."The rivalry is underway! 🐻 Clark with a great kill!! 🏐 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/NqUnb5WdYe
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) November 12, 2022
The Grizzlies out-hit MSU .370 to .108 in the opening set, but the defense maintained throughout the match, as the Bobcats hit just .109 on the night (38-22-147), compared to .209 for the Grizzlies (55-24-148).
The second set featured 14 tie scores and 10 lead changes, but Montana never fell behind by more than two points, rallying from a 23-21 deficit with three straight points – kills by Ellie Scherffius and Semadeni and an ace from Carly Anderson – to earn a set-point opportunity. The Bobcats twice fought off Montana set points, before the Grizzlies finished off the set with a Howell kill and a Semadeni/Elise Jolly block to turn the crowd of more than 2,100 fans into a frenzy. Montana's previous attendance record held for 31 years.
"We definitely fed off their energy, and it was fun to get to play so well and provide reasons for them to cheer us on," Lawrence said. "We've had some success in Bozeman, but haven't won here in a few years, so it was fun to get to celebrate with the crowd, and I'm so grateful for the way they turned out in full force."Griz finishing off the 2nd set with a commanding block by Semadeni & Jolly!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/JhHQmrP7nQ
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) November 12, 2022
Montana had every opportunity to sweep the match, leading late in Set 3 by a score of 19-15. However, Montana State scored five straight points – the Bobcats' only run of more than three consecutive points in the match – to take a 20-19 lead and won the set, 25-22. The three-point margin was the largest lead MSU would hold all night.Our students here at @umontana are out in full force tonight to cheer on their Griz volleyball team @MontanaGrizVB in the Brawl of the Wild. Go Griz! pic.twitter.com/FqgPpeDCWR
— Seth Bodnar (@SethBodnar) November 12, 2022
Despite falling late in the third set, that's when the most impressive part of the night came, one could argue.
Montana was aced just five times on the night, but four of MSU's aces came during a four-point span to close Set 3 and open Set 4.
As momentum was teetering, however, Montana sprung back with three of the next four points to tie Set 4 at 3-3. Moments later, Montana took the lead, and then Sarina Moreno – one of the Grizzly seniors who were honored prior to the match – took over.
The libero will likely set Montana's school record for career digs next week, but it was her serving that fans will remember about Friday. She served during a 9-0 scoring run to blow the set wide open, giving Montana a 16-6 advantage that would never get close again.
"You could just feel it in how she warmed up," Lawrence said of Moreno. "Her confidence, and the confidence she gives our team, is what you expect from a fifth-year senior. She's not intimidated by anyone or anything. She was a big playmaker and went for it."
In addition to a Moreno ace, Montana got kills from three different players and three blocks – all featuring Jolly, a senior, and Howell.
With the set firmly in hand, Lawrence was able to put in the third Grizzly senior, Alicia Wallingford. The middle blocker entered the match with two kills over her four-year career, but her third career kill will be one that she will remember for the rest of her life, as it set off a wild celebration and a 25-15 victory.
"Alicia is someone who is relentless in her work ethic and is such a good teammate, and when she has had her opportunities, you can just see everyone around her wanting to see her have success," Lawrence said. "They want to pass for her and cover for her, and to see her finish it out, you can't script a better ending."
Clark led Montana with 15 kills, but Semadeni and Scherffius also had monster nights. Semadeni bounced back from a difficult previous week to put together 13 kills on .286 hitting. Scherffius was nearly unstoppable, totaling 10 kills on 19 swings, with just one error (.474). Several of her kills came in big moments, and came with authority.Senior #13 Alicia Wallingford closes out the BRAWL!!! 🐻 THAT'S A SWEEP!!!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/iBYqvCdhCw
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) November 12, 2022
Howell and Jolly each had seven kills, with Howell adding 15 digs and four blocks and Jolly totaling seven blocks and an ace. Setting up the balanced offense was Anderson, who dished out 49 assists – an impressive number for a four-set match (12.25 per set) – plus two aces and eight digs.Ellie Scherffius DEMOLISHES the overpass!!! 🤯 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/iiIXFCFqx4
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) November 12, 2022
Montana, as a team, recorded 17 more kills than MSU (55 to 38) despite taking just one more swing. The Grizzlies also out-dug the Bobcats (69 to 57), with Moreno totaling 17, Howell adding 15, and freshman Lexi Batezel posting 13 for the second-most of her career.
The focus, at least for the weekend, will be celebrating a third consecutive victory over its rival, but for the big picture, the win also guarantees Montana a top-five seed at the Big Sky tournament later this month. At 16-10 overall, Montana is on pace to record its best record in 23 years and improved to 9-5 in league play with the win.
Montana will close the regular season next week at Idaho State (Thursday) and Weber State (Saturday, Nov. 19).
Catie Semadeni AGAIN on the line!!! 🔥 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/rM1kQHswdo
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) November 12, 2022
Team Stats
MSU
Mont
Kills
38
55
Errors
22
24
Attempts
147
148
Hitting %
.109
.209
Points
51
69
Assists
33
52
Aces
5
7
Blocks
8
7
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
7
Players Mentioned
S
/ Volleyball
DS
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballOH/MB
/ Volleyball
L
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOPP
/ Volleyball
MB
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